Method of and apparatus for dampening in lithographic presses



Ma 35, 34 j SCHULTZ 1,958,593

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DAMPENING IN LITHOGRAPHIC PRESSES 5SheetsSheet 1 Filed July 28, 1932 s Awavme:

JOSEPH 50/0172 Arrow/5y $1 58.? $934. 1 LTZ 1,958,593

THUD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DAMPENING IN LITH OGRAPHIC PRBSSES 5Sheets-Sheet 2 iled July 28, 1932 Ava/move.- JOSEPH Scwuuz 6r QQ WW/fife ATTOB/VEY J. SCHULTZ 1,958,593

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DAMPENING IN LITHOGRAPHIC PRESSES Fia/Awwroe: /05 5mm 72 Wall 2%;

Arrow 5 1%341. J SCHULTZ 1,958,593

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DAMPENING IN LITHOGRAPHIC PRESSES Filed July28, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /A/v/vrae JOSEPH 567/007 Armezvey i zfiemy21934 J SCHULTZ 1,958,593

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DAMPENING IN LITHOGRAPHIC PRESSES Filed July28, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 //VVEW70/Q-' Josew/ 5010172 Arrae/vzrFederated may 15, 1934 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DAIVIPEN- lNG INLITHOGRAPHIC PRESSES 28 Claims.

My invention relates to dampening devices, and more particularly tomechanisms of this class suitable for supplying moisture tolithographic, printing and other reproducing and typographicalapparatus. The particular embodiment of this invention disclosed in thepresent application illustrates this invention applied to a lithographicoliset press.

This present invention is a further development of the subject matterdisclosed and claimed in Untt'd States Patent No. 1,812,720, entitled D:opening device and issued to me June 30, 1931. This invention islikewise a further development of the subject matter disclosed andclaimed in my three pending applications having the following respectivetitles, serial numbers and filing dates:

Dampening device for lithographic offset presses and the like, SerialNo. 386.573. filed August 1'7,

1.92s: Dampening device for lithographic offset presses and the like,Serial No. 504,786. filed December 26. 1930; and Dampening mechanism forllZilOijl'RDhlC offset presses and the like. Serial No. 507.096, filedJanuary '1, 1931. In some aspects, the disclosure in this application isa specific mbodiment of features disclosed in the said appiicaion SerialNo. 504,786, and certain features specifically claimed in the presentapplication are broadly claimed in said application Serial No. 504.786.

ain features of this invention described. shown in this application andnot claimed erein, are claimed in other applications co-pend- .ith thisapplication and entitled respectively, ricgrapl'ric oifset press, SerialNo. 614,408, filed ay 31. 1932. and Methods of and mechanism for feedingsheets in a lithographic press, Serial No. 625,394 filed July 28, 1932.

As is well known, in the art of lithography, and especially in offsetlithography, the printing plate must be continuously and properlydampened to produce satisfactory results. It is also well known that acertain minimum amount of moisture must be continuously supplied to thisplate to pi vzit it from becoming coated with ink and irreparablydamaged. It is further a fact,

that different portions or zones of the plate re quire various amountsof moisture, these different requirements arising from differences inthe size mild design of the printing areas, or from the entire absenceof printing areas on the plate.

is also essential to point out that, when the the areas which requireadditional 11. those which do not, are clearly marked. a staiitialexcess or insufficiency of moisture on either side of the border of theareas will produce imperfect work. It is also well. known that anyexcess of moisture supplied to any areas above that required, will bedamaging, and further that the moisture supplied to any area must beuniformly distributed in the area in which the moisture is required.

The type of dampening apparatus which has been almost universallyadopted for modern lithographic oifset presses comprises a reservoir ofwater or suitable liquid in which a water roller is partially immersed.Adapted for intermittent contact with this water roller is a ductorroller which transfers the liquid from the water roller to anintermediate roller. This intermediate roller transfers the liquid to aplurality of dampening rollers which, in turn, distribute the liquid tothe plate on the plate cylinder, by contact. Dampening apparatus of thistype is shown. for instance,

in U. S. Patent No. 1,472,626. This usual and well known dampeningdevice is intended to supply a uniform amount of moisture over theentire width of the plate cylinder.

It will be evident that such a uniform distribution of moisture isdifficult to obtain with this usual apparatusjust described, because ofthe unequal contacting pressure and consequent unequal moisturetransferring capacity at different points along the length of therollers. This defect may occur between any of the rollers which performthe moisture transferring function. This unequal contacting pressure andconsequent unequal liquid transfer may result from slight variations orirregularities in the diameter of any of the rollers, unequal adjustmentof the two ends of adjacent rollers. spring or deflection of the centerof any roller under pressure, variation in the water absorbing capacityof the roller covering, partial ink or grease coating on the covering,etc. It should be interpolated that with this generally used apparatus,in some cases when it is desired to reduce the amount of moisturetransferred by the center of the rollers. it has been necessary to pressthe ends of the rollers so tightly together that the rollers become dryand collect ink from the plate. especially in the case of long rollers.

It is evident. due to the deficient and faulty transfer of the liquidfrom the water roller to the plate, the uniformly distributed coating ofliquid on the water roller is not applied in a uniformly distributedmanner to the plate, but is deposited on the plate in zones or stripesof moisture of varying intensities, unless a corrcctive or compensatingliquid feeding mecharaisin is provided to co-operate with the rollers,

such for instance, as is shown and described in my co-pendingapplications Serial Nos..386,573,

504,786 and 507,09fi referred to above, or in United States Patent No.1,812,720 entitled Dampening device, issued to me June 30, 1931.

It should be noted that, even if the present n ening apparatus diddistribute the liquid rrhly on the lithographic plate, this would 1, notbe the desired condition for many cases in modern high speed printing.It is well known that those portions of the plate which take theheaviest amount of ink will also need a heavier amount of dampeningliquid than the portions talring a relatively lesser amount of ink, orno i at all. When the liquid is supplied in a unii rmly distributedmanner to such a plate with the usual apparatus above referred to, the Iavily inked portions will either not receive sufient moisture or thelightly inked portions will receive an over supply of moisture. An

over supply of moisture, to any portion of the plate results in anuneven color and a lack of u. iiormity of color on the printed sheet. Adeer; ficient amount of moisture on any portion of the plate will. causea filling in with ink, or, what is known in this art as catching up.

In addition to the defective performance of the roller type of dampeningapparatus there are certain disadvantages inherent in the use ofdampening rollers well known to those skilled in this art. Among thesedetriments are, the difiiculty of applying water absorbent coverings tothese rollers, which are uniformly cylindrical, smooth and free fromhigh spots; the expense of and delays caused by the repeated washing and.ning required when colors are changed and by lre uent re-coveringrequired by the rollers; e delays caused by the accurate positioning 1daligning adjustment required in the rollers every time a roller isre-covered or is replaced by a newly re-covered roller; the frequentreadjustment required on these rollers to comfor wear; and the damageand wear to e plate resulting from the relatively high pres- :re.pounding and friction of the distributing upon the surface of thelithographic 1 the formation of a scum on the leading .pper edge of theplate caused by the strikedge of the plate against pening rollers whichmove into the at revolution of the cylinder; viplication and expense ofthe mechr supporting and actuating these rollers. effort to overcome theabove difficulties in order to insure the provision of a proper amountof liquid for each portion of the area 033 the plate withoutovercharging any portion of the plate. I have developed and successfullyapplied the apparatus to be hereinafter described.

The general object of my invention is, there- Store, to provide a methodof and a device for supplying moisture to lithographic offset presses .rprinting apparatus, which is of simple, -pensive and durableconstruction, which is convenient and efficient in use, and which issufiiciently flexible to satisfy all dampening reuuirements demanded bythe different designs and plates used in modern offset lithography, dwhich will satisfactorily supply moisture to "he plate on the press inproporrements or each particular area d which will. eliminate the dis:itages dampening devices in general use at present,

fill

Further and more specific objects which differentiate this inventionfrom the prior art and from my earlier pending applications are asfollows:

To provide a novel method of supplying moisture to a lithographic plate,which maintains a sharper outline of the design on the plate than hasheretofore been possible with the use of dampening rollers.

To provide an improved method of and apparatus for applying moisture toa lithographic plate which preserves the plate and which eliminates thedepreciation and wear to the plate caused by the pressure,irregularities and friction of the usual dampening rollers.

To provide improved dampening apparatus in which the element contactingthe plate and distributing moisture to the plate, can be removed andreplaced with a minimum of expense and delay, and requires no accurateand sensitive adjustment with relation to the cylinder or otherco-operating parts before it is ready for operation.

To produce a dampening device which automatically applies the liquid tothe plate in a novel manner by means of a relatively soft liquidabsorbent member which lightly rides on the surface of the moving platein a manner similar to the method which would be used by an operator indampening or cleaning the plate with a wet cloth.

To produce a dampening device comprising a member which applies theliquid to a moving lithographic plate and which automaticallyreciprocates in a direction crosswise of the movement of the plate. andwhich is provided with suitable mechanism for thus actuating thismember.

To produce an improved type of capillary siphon liquid feeding device ina dampening apparatus which will selectively and adjustably feed varyingamounts of liquid to different portions of the plate crosswise of thepress.

To produce a more substantial and more conveniently adjustable type ofcapillary siphon liquid feeding element in a dampening apparatus, whichis pivotally mounted.

To produce a mechanism which includes a plurality of independentlyadjustable capillary liquid feeding elements, and in which the feedingby all of these appliances can be simultaneously interrupted.

To produce a device having a plurality of independently adjustablecapillary liquid feeding elements in which the feeding may beinterrupted and in which the device may again be placed into liquidfeeding operation without disturbing the relative setting or adjustmentof the elements, by a simple turn of a lever and without the necessityof individually touching any of the liquid feeding elements.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from thefollowing description and from reference to the accompanying drawings.These annexed drawings and description set forth in detail certain meansembodying this invention, such disclosed means constituting however, buta few of the forms in which the principle of this invention may beapplied.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a lithographic offset press embodying myinvention, certain parts of the standard press which have no bearing onthis invention being omitted and certain other ill) parts being shown inbroken lines in an alternative position.

Figure 2 a longitudinal section through the press shown in Figure 1,this section being taken on the plane indicated by line 2, 2 in Figure1.

Figure is a. fragmentary elevational view of portion of the press, thisview being the plane indicated by line 3, 3 in d being broken away todisclose cernormally concealed. in a fragmentary plan view of that .repress embodying this specific in- .on, this view being taken from theplane i by line i, 4 in Figure 2, certain moisng elements being omitted.

fragmentary section of the upper this press taken on the plane indie 5,5 in Figure 2.

a fragmentary side elevation of ion of the press embodying my specificiis view being taken from the plane line 6. 6 in Figures 1 and 3.

s a sectional perspective view showc. the novel elements of my invention"'e shown in orthographic projection in figures.

an enlarged sectional view taken e indicated by line 8, 8 in Figure 4 lf my improved apparatus.

"re 9 is a detached detail view of one of moms shown in Figure 8. in isan enlarged fragmentary detached view of one detail feature of thisinvention, this view beingtaken from the plane indicated by line 10, 10in Figure 3.

a view similar to Figure lO showin an alternative position. is anenlarged fragmentary view of it poi on oi Figure 2 showing certainfeatures ll'lOlSlUl'Q supplying and distributing ap- "his invention moreclearly. up 12 is a view similar to Figure 12 showa parts in analternative position.

' a transverse sectional view taken dicated by line 14, 14 in Figure 12.fragmentary View similar to a Figure 12. showing the position ascertainelements when the cylinder to a position in which the gap is adne misture distributing apparatus.

detached view of one of the 'phen elements constituting one of the hisinvention. and 18 are sectional and elevational r atlc viewsrespectively to illustrate a caused by dampening elements generally atpresent in the art of lithographic print- .1 g. this defect beingavoided by the use of the iliipiui'cd apparatus of this invention.

Fl 19 is a view similar to Figure 12 showl, l'il l .zficd form of thisinvention, omitting n of the elements shown in the above deis stillanother and further simplified form of this invention in which certainaonsl elements are omitted.

- -'"e 21 is a view similar to a portion of F gure 12 showing a modifiedform of one elep" i used in this invention.

is likewise a View similar to a por- 10 i2, showing another modifiedform ire-vise a modified view similar to on of Figure 12, showing astill further modification of one element, this modification showing aconstruction particularly well adapted for use on larger cylinders.

Figure 24 is a view similar to Figure 12 showing my invention adaptedfor co-operation with the side of a relatively large cylinder.

Figure 25 is a view taken beyond the plane of the section in whichFigure 24 is taken and showing certain supporting elements for theapparatus shown in Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a side elevation of a fragmentary portion of a lithographicpress equipped with another modified form of this invention.

Figure 27 is a fragmentary plan view showing one end of the modificationshown in Figure 26, this view being taken from the plane indicated bylines 27, 27 in Figures 26 and 28, the liquid reservoir being removed inthis view.

Figure 28 is a fragmentary, vertical, longitudinal section through themechanism shown in Figures 26 and 27. this view being taken on the planeindicated by line 28, 28 of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a view similar to Figure 28 showing another modification ofone detail of this invention.

The liquid used for dampening the plate of a lithographic offset pressis usually either water or a relatively dilute solution of acid inwater, or a. dilute solution of gum arabic or other materials orcombinations of materials in water, depending upon the requirements. Inthe following specifications the term \vater", moisture and liquid areused interchangeably and it is understood, that these terms are toinclude such liquids as are referred to above, or any liquids which maybe used with this apparatus for the purpose set forth.

General features I shall first describe the general features of thepress with which my invention is co-operatively associated, and withparticular reference to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive. In these figures, 1indicates the frame of the press comprising side frames 1a and lb, uponwhich are mounted, in Well known manner, an impression cylinder 2, ablanket cylinder 3 and a plate cylinder 4. These cylinders are mountedin suitable bearings in the frame of the press and are rotated by gearsadjustably mounted on the respective cylinders at the side adjacent theframe member 1a, the gearing being indicated collectively at 5. Thesegears 5 are driven by a belt actuated by any suitable source of power,not shown, and applied to a pulley 6 mounted on a shaft '7 upon which apinion is mounted meshing with one of the units in the cylinder gearing5.

The plate cylinder 4 is provided with a gear 8 on the opposite end fromthe drive gearing 5. for the purpose of driving certain apronreciprocating mechanism to be hereinafter described. The plate inkingrollers 9 are shown in engagement with the periphery of the platecylinder 4, these rollers in turn receiving the uniformly distributedink from a series of ink rollers 10 which receive the ink from an inkfountain. as will be understood.

The plate cylinder is formed with a gap 11 in which are mounted theplate holding devices 12 adapted to firmly hold the plate 13 in positionupon the cylinder. The plate holding devices may be of any desiredconstruction and include adjusting means adapted to position the plateproperly on the cylinder. The blanket cylinder is likewise formed with agap in which is mounted mechanism 14 adapted to hold the blanket 15securely on the blanket cylinder 3. The imprescylinder 2, is providedwith gripper fingers is adapted to grip sheets, one by one, as they arefed to this cylinder.

The sheets to be printed are fed into this press from a stock pile, notshown, upon the tape conveyor i? any desired type of feeding mechan tapeconveyor feeds the sheet to be uteri. against the disappearing stopfingers 18, posedf upon a suction head 19. The sheet is itioned then forproper registry with the plate ter which it is fed into and seized bythe opens on the rotating impression cylinder by the suction head 19,this suction head beactuat-ed by suitable mechanism indicated .erallv at20. The gripper fingers mounted on ng impression cylinder cause thesheet between the peripheries of the blanket er 3 and impressioncylinder 2 at which me the impression from the plate is transferred insheet. After the sheet has been printed, as gripper fingers feed thesheet to a delivery mechanism indicated generally at 21, this deliverymechanism and the gripper fingers being actua d b any well known andsuitably timed aceviees not shown.

.Jiie feeding and. delivery mechanism need not be further described hereas it forms no part of present invention.

Liquid feeding device 1 now describe the liquid feeding device of thedampening apparatus which constitutes one of the novel features of thisinvention, by reference to Figures 1 to 16 inclusive. A boss 22 isprovided on the frame member 11) at its upper portion. and mounted inthis boss is a hinge pin pivotally mounted upon which is a hinge bi..clzet This bracket, in turn forms a seat for a support bar 25projecting laterally from the hinge bracket 24. and in its normalposition extendin transversely of the press as clearly shown in Figures1, 2. 4. '7, 8 and 12. Likewise extendin in a direction transversely ofthe press relatively shorter pin 26. spaced from the port bar 25.

..terl upon the support bar 25 is a liquid ated in its eni ircty at 27.This ress an end frame 28 adjacent the 2d and a se end end frame 29 uponide of the pr s. These end frames 'wl w a trough like member 30, havour1nd a rear Wall 3017. Figure 12, to the frames 28 and 29 in a liquid 1manner Each of the end frames is formed with a s ckcl. or recess 31adapted to fit over the support bar 25. these sockets being providedwith a set screw for the purpose of securing the reser-- voir in fittedrelation to the bar. The end frame 28 is formed with a rearwardlyextending car 32 ich is provided with a hole at its rear end on lid fiton the pin 26. In this mani is supported on the bar 25, onally supportedagainst rotation a. L a: bar 25 means of the engagement of the pin withthe our 32.

'oir or trough 27 extends across the tantially the full width of theplate rid the plate 13 mounted theretn, as appear fro an inspection ofFigures rundly P" n t 98 and 29 are formed :"rlly projecting cur for iic. op ning to rotoiably support a shaft 3a which extends between the endframes parallel to and in front of the trough member 36 and which ispreferably made hollow for the purpose of lightness.

Mounted upon this shaft is a series of siphon capillary wick elementseach indicated in its entirety at 35 and one of which is shown in Figure16, detached from this apparatus. Each of these wick elements 35comprise a bracket 36 preferably made of material which will not affect,and which will not be affected by, the liquid used for dampening. Eachof the brackets is formed with a main body portion 37 projectingrearwardly and partly curved concavely downward as clearly shown inFigures 12, 13 and 16. This main body portion is narrowed or taperedtoward its end terminating in a point as indicated at 38. Each bracketis likewise formed with a cylindrical portion of a size to engage theshaft tube 34 with a friction fit. This cylindrical portion 39 ispreferably formed as an open cylinder of relatively resilient materialso that the frictional tension of the cylindrical portion 39 on theshaft or tube 34 can be so adjusted that the bracket 36 can be manuallyrotated on the shaft and so that this bracket will be frictionaly heldin the position in which it is placed. For the purpose of rotating thebracket 36 on the shaft a finger grip 40 is provided on each bracket. Acapillary liquid absorbing wick element 41 is associated with eachbracket, one portion 42 of which is attached to the body portion 37 ofthe bracket 36 by means of staples 44 or similar fastening means whichwill permit the quick renewal of the wicks and the other portion 43 ofthis element is freely suspended from the bracket. The portion 43 of theelement 41 is of substantially the same width as the bracket 36 and thecylindrical portion 39. and the portion 42 takes the same tapered formas the portion 37 to which it is attached, terminating in the point 38.

Reference to Figures 2, 3, 5, 12 and 13 will disclose the fact that therod 34 is slightly above and adjacent to the front wall 30a and solocated that the portion 42 of the capillary element may be immersedvarying distances in the liquid con tained in the reservoir 27. Thesefigures will also show that the portions 43 of the elements il aresuspended outside of the front wall 30o as is clearly shown also inFigure '7. It will be apparent from Figures 1. 5 a d 7 that thedepending portions 43 are preferably arranged quite close togather andextend substai'itially over the full width of the plate 13 on the platecylinder 4. and that the lower ends of the suspended portions 43normally rest upon or contact a member 53 for transferring liquid to theplate.

Liquid disirz'buting mechanism for applying moisture to plate Axiallyand rotatably mounted on the support bar 25 are a pair of brackets 45.Figures 1, 4. 8 and 9. These brackets are formed with a hub which isfixedly secured on the bar and with preferably hinged caps 46 andprovided with bearing portions 47 formed partly in the brackets andpartly in the caps 46.

Slidably mounted in the bearing 47 is a rod 48 Figures 4, 5. 7, 8, 9 and12. This rod extends across the press for a distance substantiallygreater than the out to out distance of the bearings in the brackets 45.This rod 48 has mounted blocks in turn support a rod 51 which runsacross 1 at the gap,

lu in. spa ed parallel relation with the rod Supported on the rod 48 anddetachably an- .ed thereto upon pins 52 is a distributing apron 53formed of molleton or other soft and flexible liquid absorbentmategrzwitationally rests on the rotating mounted on the plate cylinder4. This formed of a continuous member ex- .sely ol' the press for adistance r than the width of the design on Secured to the apron 53 onthat it the rod 51 is a suspending web 5i to of relatively thin andflexible material. tins web in turn, suspended from the rod 51 m (le s.'ly supported thereon by means of it will be apparent that in thepreferred invention, as shown in Figures 1 to on rides on top of theupper periphery te cylinder. In mounting the web 54 it only sufilcientlooseness of the web is rt the web will just come short of supe weightof any portion of the apron u the apron is riding on the plate. thisloose- T eferably being so slight that the weight on will be supportedand, in fact, the r n ..il be entirely suspended from the rods 48 i "nthe gap 11 of the plate cylinder the apron and this suspension will res. ected before very much downward move- "fl-" it of apron takes place,as clearly shown in 'gure 15, thereby comprising an effective 5 for ,3reventing the dropping of the apron c the g 11, and preventing anysplash caused the st ing or" the leading edge of the plate against thedampening apron.

he rod as is formed at a point intermediate its with a downwardprojection 56, Figures 4, 8 preferably cylindrical in cross section.engages a slot 57 in a lever 58. otally mounted on an extension 59integrally formed with or attached to the 7e bracket 24. The thrust ofthe depending .oj tion against the back of the slot 5'7 suprt the rod 48and the arms 49 and the parts vreor: against rotating counter clocked inFigure 12, in the bearing 47 of is s 45, and the weight of these partsis t, to maintain the projection 56 against e slot 57. 5 i rovided witha roller 60 rotat point intermediate the ends of er is resiliently heldin ent race cam 61 by means of a one end connected to the lever 58ehored on the hinge bracket rl, -own in Figure l. The face cam 61 isrotated by means of a gear 64 secured to face cam and meshing with thegear 8 .nted on the plate cylinder referred to above. will be evident,the rotation of the cam 61 will cause the lever 58 to oscillate aboutits pivot lll'l? 31c slot 57 to move transversely of the gagement of theprojection 56 of the the slot 57 will cause the rod 48, to movetransversely in unison ver, and will cause the apron 53. mountc toreciprocate sidewise across 0 face of the plate as the plate moves aboutthe of the plate cylinder. I prefer to reciprocate son se eral times foreach revolution of the but I so select the size of the gear o itsdriving gear 8, that the gear '"iole number of revolutions .l'r: plate,thus making pro- 2 point in the apron will not contact the same point onthe plate on two successive revolutions of the plate.

As previously explained, the shaft or tube 34 upon which the bracketsand associated wick elements 41 are mounted, is rotatably mounted in thecars 33 formed on the ends of the reservoir. A handle 65 is mounted uponone end of the shaft 34. Figures 1, 3, l0, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Thishandie is provided with a hub 66 which is formed on its underside with apair of recesses 6'7, 68 adopted to engage a pin 69 mounted in one ofthe ears 33. A coiled compression spring 70 is interposed between theother ear 33 and a collar 71 formed on the shaft 34 as clearly shown inFigure 14, to resiliently force the shaft 34 to the right and cause therecesses 67 or 68 to seat on the pin 69.

Extending rearwardly and upwardly from each of the end frames 28 and 29is an arm 72, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6. These arms are each provided with aslot or recess at their upper ends adapted to receive a pair ofcylindrical trunnions formed on a liquid supply chamber '73. Thischamber is preferably tubular in shape and of a length substantiallyequal to the space between the arms 72. This chamber is formed with adischarge spout '74, Figures 1 and 2, extending into the reservoir andreaching downwardly to the. point at which it is desired to maintain thewater level in the resenvoir.

An opening, sealed by a plug 29a is provided in the end frame 29 of theliquid reservoir 27 for the purpose of draining the reservoir.

In order that the weight of the support bar 25 and the weights of thesuperimposed apparatus may not be entirely supported on the hingebracket 24, and in order to properly align the bar 25 and thesuperimposed dampening apparatus in substantially parallel relation withthe cylinders, a support is provided for an extension 250.

mounted on the bar 25, in the frame 1a as shown at '75, Figures 1 and 6.In order to maintain the bar in the support '75 I form the support witha shoulder '76 at the front end and I provide a latch or hook member 77which passes down past the rear face of the bar thus preventingunintended lateral movement of the bar during the operation of the pressand insuring the proper alignment of the dampening apparatus with thepress.

It will be now evident that the entire dampening device including supplychamber 73, reservoir 2'7, wicks 35, apron 53, lever 58, earn 61, gear64 and all parts supporting these elements are mounted on the hingebracket 24 and this bracket is in turn supported on the boss 22 andpivotally mounted on the vertical hinge pin 23. When the hook '77 islifted to release the extension 25a of the support bar 25, it ispossible to move the entire dampening device horizontally 180 degrees ifdesired, about the vertical axis of the pin 23 entirely away from itsoperating position above the plate cylinder, as is suggested by thearrow and broken line position of this dampening device in Figure 1 ofthe drawings. This hinged mounting of the dampening device makespossible a'maximum of accessibility to the plate cylinder and to theb1anket cylinder. This arrangement makes the plate cylinder readilyaccessible for the purpose of securing the plate to the cylinder andadjusting it with relation to the cylinder, makes the plate easilyaccessible for inspection, for cleaning and for the purpose of makingchanges in the design on the plate. This arrangement further providesmaximum access to the periphery of the blanket cylinder for the purposeof changing the packing underneath the blanket and making any necessaryrepairs to the blanket.

(l eration of dampening apparatus The functioning of one of the siphoncapillary elements 35, or" the liquid feeding device, will be describedand can best be understood by e to Figures l2, l3, l4 and 16. In Figuresis, one of the wick elements indicated .wn with its end t2 immersed asublstance below the surface of the liquid. .1 the end 42 of the wick isin this position, it ter will be absorbed by this immersed portion itor" the molleton 41 and will be drawn upwardly I capillary attraction tothe highest point of the d will thence be drawn downwardly .tion ofcapillary and siphon action will be transferred by contact and by cap-This liquid, after it reaches the apron is -rawn downwardly to that areaof the apron in line with the wick and in contact with the plate l3 atwhich point the liquid is transto the moving plate. The conduction ofthe through the apron from the bottom of the wick to the plate is qutedirect and or urs thout any appreciable diffusion or lateral spreading.

This transfer of water from the molleton wick element to the apron, andin turn, to the plate, or yes to keep that area or zone of the platewhich moves below the end 43 of the wick element 35y. moist inaccordance with the amount of liquid fed by the wick element 35y.

I greater amount of moistening is required at area or none of the platebelow the wick -1 355 the bracket 36 of this wick element mated in adirection to cause the end 42 dck element 359' to immerse more deeply (2liquid so that a greater length of the wick i become immersed. in theliquid, as is shown for instance. at in Figures 12 and I l. Such an inthe depth of immersion will produce a r water transferring capacity ofthis Wick ii for the reason that a larger portion of 1 cl; is immersedin the liquid and, due to the rmation oi. the end 42 of the wick, across sectional area of the molleton is surface of the liquid forconupwardly from the surface by creasing the water conducting ickelement at 35.2. This inwater is, in turn, transferred to thence to thesurface of the moviate as described above.

if, on. the other hand, a smaller amount of moistening is required bythat area or zone of the plate below the wick element 35y, the bracket36 of this wick element 35 may be rotated to raise of the wick elementupwardly so that portion of the wick is immersed as is instance, at 35.1 in Figures 12 and 14. end 42 has thus been raised it will be thatsmaller portion of the molle- .ised in the liquid and second, that theCClO'flEtl area of the molleton which is of absorbing water from thesurface of :td due to the tapered formation. of the the wick, both ofthese features tende flow of liquid in the wick and of liquidtransferred to that area or none of the beneath the wick element 3530will be reduced in proportion to the reduction of the immersed portionof the wick element. In the event that the amount of liquid fed by thewick 35.1? is still too great for the requirements of the platemoistened by the wick 353: it will be understood that the wick element35 can be further raised until only the point 38 of the wick elementremains immersed, this arrangement permitting the flow of liquid to bereduced to one or two drops per minute. It will be further understoodthat if the absorbing end of a wick element 35 is entirely raised out ofthe liquid, that no liquid will be absorbed by the molleton and hence noliquid will be transferred to the apron or to that area of the platepassing beneath the apron in line with such raised Wick element.

It will be understood that, in operation, all wick elements are usuallynot immersed to the same extent, as various differences of the platewill make it necessary to immerse the wick elements to a differentextent as is clearly shown in Figures 1, 3, '7 and 14. After the desiredadjustment of these wick elements has been made to suit the requirementsof the plate, no further adjustments or attention of the operator to thedampening of the plate are usually required.

In order to maintain the liquid transferring capacity of the wicks 35substantially constant, it is necessary to maintain the liquid level inthe reservoir at the same point as will be readily understood. In orderto automatically keep this liquid level constant and, in order toeliminate the delays and uncertainties involved in depending upon theoperator to frequently carry liquid to the reservoir, I provide theliquid supply cham* ber '73, having its discharge spout 74 extendingdownwardly to the point at which it is desired to keep the water level.This supply chamber is filled with liquid and is inverted and supportedon the reservoir 27 as shown. Liquid will discharge fromthe spout intothe reservoir until the level reaches the bottom of the spout and sealsthe discharge opening. Any further flow through the spout will beprevented by the vacuum above the liquid in the chamber '73 until thelevel of the liquid again falls below the bottom of the spout. At thistime suflicient liquid will automatically flow out of the spout untilthe spout is sealed again, thus maintaining the liquid level in thereservoir substantially constant.

As is well known, it frequently happens that a lithographic press mustbe stopped for a short period of time either due to correcting of a jamcaused by the missing of a sheet, or for the purpose of checking ofregister, inspecting the work, making various adjustments on the pressor for other reasons. When the press is stopped, or even when the pressis running and no sheets are being fed through the press, it is. ofcourse,

llllil desirable to interrupt the feeding of the liquid 1',

to the plate in order to avoid the overcharge of the plate with liquid,as will be understood.

In order to interrupt the how of liquid in all of the wickssimultaneously the handle 65 mounted on the tube 34 is manually turnedfrom the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure 13.This turning of the shaft 34 causes all of the brackets 36 of the wickelements 35 to raise the immersed portions 42 of the wick elements to apoint above the liquid as shown in Fig- 1 ure 13. This lifting of thewick elements does not change the position of any of the wick elementson the tube 34 as these wick elements are fric tionally held in positionon this tube 34 as previ ously explained. When the press is again readyfor printing a simple downward movement of the handle 65 causes the tube34 to rotate sufficiently to re-iinmerse the wicks in exactly the sameporaiiioii relative to the surface of the liquid as that whi h theyoccupied prior to the interruption of engagement of the recess 68 in thehub 66 of the handle 65 with the pin 69 serve hold the lever 65 andhence the tube 34 and Y wicks ..5 in the upper position, and the enmentof the recess 6'7 with the pin 69 serves .1c return of the wick elementsto iden same position each time that the die is turned downwardly tore-immerse the This arrangement, further, makes it posio adjust thewicks so that each portion of date receives exactly the correct amountof ture and to interrupt this flow for any peand again initiating thisflow without compelled to individually readjust any of elements. apronas previously described is supon and suspended between a pair ofprefsubst-antially parallel rods 48 and 51. The ively flexiblesuspending web 54 permits the iron 53 to gravitationally ride on theplate 13 the same time prevents the apron from into the gap 11 on thecylinder 4. In that the area of the apron 53 in conthe plate 13 is toogreat or too small or in event that the pressure of the apron n theplate is too heavy or too light, the blocks If. on the arms 49 may bemoved toward or from the rod 48 to produce the required area of conia'.i. or pressure between the apron and the plate. It will also be evidentthat one of the blocks 50 acent one end of the apron may be adjusted arm49 without moving the other block, it be necessary in case a greaterarea of t desired at one edge of the plate than :ther or to compensatefor inequalities in ldth of the apron.

quently happens that. in dampening dethe member which actually contactsthe and distributes the liquid upon the plate b trequently renewed. orreplaced and e. due to the fact that some ink frequently s to member,this change being espeecessary when a light color is to be printed clackor a dark color has been run. It parent that my construction permits theapron 53 and the substitution i ed apron with a minimum of ex- It is onlnecessary to remove i the pins 52 and 55 and mount a t place. For thepurpose of facilimaking of this change, the reservoir 7 ogether with thewicks 35 and supply chamber 73 may be lifted from the supporting rods 25"ml 26. The removed apron can very quickly washed. or a new one can besubstituted at little expense, if it is not desired to wash up on. Itwill also be clear that the apron will be ready for operationimmediately upon tion after it has been moistened by the .1g ends 43 ofthe molleton wicks without 3 of making any delicate adjustments nrequired by the usual dampening de- 1 generally used.

A'U'OUtfltlC apron reciprocating mechanism variations of moisturecoating on the plate. In order to eliminate the possibility of suchdefects and in order to effect as uniiform a distribution of moisture ineach zon as possible, I provide auto matic mechanism for slightlyreciprocating the apron 53 crosswise of the direction of movement of theplate. This mechanism consists, as previously described. of a slidablemounting for the apron supporting rods 48 and 51 and means forreciprocating these rods. The apron will, accordingly. move crosswise ofthe movement of the plate as will be understood while maintainingcontinuous contact with the plate. I prefer to reciprocate the apronrelatively slowly and in a manner simulating the speed which might beused by an operator in dampening or cleaning his plate, but with a muchshorter sidewise movement so as to prevent the moisture condition of onezone from substantially affecting the moisture condition of the nextadjacent zones. I prefor to make at least one or two completereciprocations during each revolution of the plate cylinder. In order toprevent any point on the apron from repeatedly travelling over the samepoint on the plate I so select the number of teeth in the pinion 64 sothat this number will not be the same as, and will not be a multiple ofthe number of teeth in the gear 8 so that the gear 64 will not make awhole number of revolutions for each revolution of the plate. Thelateral reciprocation of the apron 53 does not allcot the capacity ofthe wick elements for transferring liquid to the apron as the lower endsof the wick elements shift laterally with the apron and remain incontact with the apron due to the frictional engagement of the wickelements with the apron.

It frequently happens in lithographic presses equipped with the usualtype of dampening rollers, especially on heavily inked portions of thedesign, that whiskers form on the back end of the design on the printedsheet. The reason for the formation of these whiskers" is showndiagrammatically in Figures 17 and 18 of the drawings. In these figuresa plate is shown at A which is formed with a design B which is sensitiveto ink and upon which a layer of ink of somewhat exaggerated thicknessis shown in Figure 17. C represents one of the usual plate dampeningrollers, shown in broken lines, which is normally pressed against thesurface of the plate and which is driven from the plate by frictionalcontact therewith. It will be evident. when the plate A moves in thedirection shown by the arrow. that the roller C, due to its pressureagainst the plate and due to its inertia and the frictional resistanceof the bearings in which it is mounted, will have a tendency to bevelthe leading edge of the design B and will likewise have a tendency toscrape ink oil the. design at the trailing edge, this displaced inkforming a feather edge causing the formation of the well known whiskeison the printed sheet. The formation of these feather edges or whiskers"is avoided by use of the hereinbefore described method and apparatusbecause of the relatively very light pressure of the apron 53 upon thesurface of the plate 13, and by the sidewise wiping action of thedampening apron 53. Even if such \vhiskers" should be formed they wouldbe quickly removed by the reciprocating motion of the apron movingcrosswise of the direction of motion of the plate. It is largely forthese reasons that I have been able to produce a sharper and cleanerimpression on designs which are heavily charged with ink than ispOs'SlblC with any press using the usual dampening; rollers.

Modified forms of this invention Numerous modifications of the apparatushereinbefore described can be developed and I have elected to illustratea few of the forms of this device which I have found advantageous. Someof +3 modified devices consist of the elimination one or more parts ofthe apparatus previously de 'ribcd. while others comprise a completechange of certain elements.

I shall first describe the device shown in Figure 19. The apparatusshown in this Figure is sub stautially the same as that shown in Figure12, to which Figure 19 is similar, with the exception that the rod 51for supporting the forward end of the apron 53, as well as the blocksand arms 49 have been omitted. In lieu of the apron 53, Figun; 19 showsan apron 78 which is substantially the same the apron 53 but is notprovided with suspending web 54. This apron 78 is prefer- .y cleiachablymounted upon and anchored to the rod 48, and the free end '79 of thisapron .5 gravitationally rests on the plate 13 and is held in theposition shown in the drawings by the slight ii'ictionof the plate onthe underside of the apron 8. in order to prevent the end 79 of theapron R from dropping into the gap 11a of the cylinder in, I provide aremovable cover plate 80 which covers the gap and is secured in place byscrews or any other desired means and which may be quickly 1 Wed when itis desired to remove the plate 13 2mm the cylinder. The rod 48 isreciprocated in this term of this device by the mechanism previouslydescribed. this reciprocation, causing the apron '78 to move crosswiseof the direction of movement of the plate as described for the apron 53.

Figure 20 illustrates a slight further simplification of this inventionconsisting of the entire elimination of the distributing apron. In thisterm of dampening device a capillary liquid absorbeut element 81 isprovided having longer deiii livery ends 82 than the wick 41 previouslyde :crioed. This delivery end is made of sufficient longi n so that thelower end portion 83 will gravitationally ride upon the upper face ofthe plate 13. at point 8 intermediate the lower and iper end of thedepending wick 81, it is very itly h ld between the reciprocating rod 48and l substantially parallel thereto and which d a pair of suitablebrackets, one only 1 o .vn, mounted on the rod 48. The recipon oi therods 48 and 85, lightly engaging lire s ics of wicks across the machine,will cause the lower ends 83 to reciprocate laterally. The reciprocationoi the rods l8 and 85 is affected by the lever 58 which is actuated bymeans of the 8'.- gearing and the cam mechanism previously deribedv Thespace between the separate wicks, 1. this form of the invention, ispreferably made sufficiently small and so that it does not leave anyuncoatcd portion on the plate.

in Figure 21. which is similar to a portion of i iigure 12. I haveillustrated a modified form of apron 87 which is looped over the rod 48instead of being impaled thereon as shown in most of the previousfigures and which is supported by means 7C oi a. web support 88 loopedover the rod 51.

pacity than a single thickness and is capable of maintaining the platein a more heavily dampened condition when this is required. This apron87 is supplied with liquid from a reservoir 27 through a plurality ofwick elements il as described. It should also be noted that the waterstorage capacity of the apron 53 may be similarly increased by placingone or more loose pieces of molleton upon the apron 53 between the rod48 and the suspending web 54.

Figure 22 shows another method of providing a double thickness ofmolleton, this method consisting of looping the molleton around the rod48 and 51 to form the apron 89 suspended between these two rods. It willbe understood that the aprons shown in Figures 21 and 22 may veryquickly be replaced by removing the rod 48 from its sliding supports 45by lifting the cap 46 and then removing the arm a9 and the block 50whereupon aprons 87 and 89 respectively may quickly be removed from therods and a new apron threaded through the loops over the rods. Thismethod of anchoring the apron on the rods 48 and 51 requires slightlylonger than the pin method shown in the previously described Figures,but has the advantage that there is no danger that the apron willaccidentally become removed from its supports and be carried through thepress.

Figure 23 shows still further modifications of the apron adaptedespecially for dampening a plate such as shown at 90 on a largercylinder 91. This apron is shown supported on a pair of rods 92 and 93,both of which are to be considered as reciprocable in the same manner asthe rods 48 and 51 previously described. Anchored on pins on the rods 92and 93 is the main body portion 94 of this modified form of apron.Depending from this main body portion 94 is a plurality, three asillustrated, of sub-aprons 95a, 95band 950 gravitationally riding on theplate 90. The liquid is supplied to the main body portion 94 of theapron by means of a series of wicks 41. Most of the liquid supplied tothe main body portion is quite uniformly distributed throughout the areaof the body 94. but the major portion will pass to the sub-apron 95a,and sub-aprons 95b and 950 while supplying some moisture to the plate,will have, as their main function, the uniform distribution of themoisture supplied by the sub-apron 95a. I have found that this type ofdistributing device is very advantageous for dampening lithographicplates on large cylinders.

The forms of this invention thus far described are shown applied to arelatively small lithographic press, Two modifications which areespecially well suited for use on larger presses will now be described.but it will be understood that any form of this invention may be used onany size of press.

Figures 24 and 25 illustrate a somewhat different application of theprinciple of my invention. The apron, in the devices hereinbeforedescribed is shown as gravitationally resting upon the plate of thecylinder; in its broader aspects it is not necessary that the contact ofthe apron be gravitational as the device illustrated in Figure 24discloses. In this device the reservoir 27a is substantially the same asthe reservoir 2'? and the siphon capillary wick element 35.!- islikewise similar to the wick element 35 except that the depending orouter end 41:1 of the liquid absorbing clement is somewhat shorter thanthose previously shown. The apron 96 is anchored by of pins 9'7 and 98to a rod 99 rotatably mounted in a bracket 104 and a rod is supported I.

ill

on a pair of vertical arms 103 detachably or otherwise secured to therod 99 and hence pivotally mounted in the bracket 16%. The rod 99 isalso rirovided with a depending ear 105 which engages an adjusting screw106 mounted on the fixed v 3 which has slotted engagement with thedepending 109 integrally formed on or secured to the rod 99. The cam 108is driven by a gear 210 which, in turn, meshes with a gear 111 on the.late cylinder 102. This dampening device is ended for use onlithographic presses which re inking rollers and other apparatus on tophe plate cylinder, and which are for other reanot adapted for the use ofgravity type rons contacting the moving plate. This ap paratus isespecially adapted for replacing the present roller type dampeningdevices generally used. on lithographic offset presses.

The modification of this invent on shown in "'i.,.rr*s 26 to 29inclusive, is an amplification of tors invention to include the use of aplurality of the novel apron devices disclosed in the forms of thisinvention prevfously described. In some it is desirable to effect a moreperfect and by one water applying apron as previously described. It hasalso been found that, with the use of the Water applying apron alone. aslight of water sometimes appears at certain p es on the plate,particularly at the points where the plate enters the gap in the platecylinder. This may occur either due to improper adjustment ormanipulation of the feeding device or due to causes beyond the controlof the operator.

order to overcome the above mentioned diffirr ties, a second apron isprovided in this dampmechanism contacting the plate at a point .i radvanced with relation to the travel of "i ier than the apron whichapplies the the plate. second apron serves p r which may haveaccumulated at the gripper or trailing edge of the plate.

This modified dampening device is also mounted so that it may be shiftedto a position remote g access to the plate cylinder at the damp- .ngposition, but this mounting is slightly difit from that previouslydescribed. The conuction of the liquid supplying devices and themoisture applying apron and the means for "oat-ing this apron aresubstantially the same "this modified form as in the first describedforms of this invention.

This modified form will be briefly described by reference. first, toFigures 26, 27 and 28. The lithographic plate 118 adapted to be coatedin ink by the ink rollers 119 is mounted onthe 1 l!l"" indicated at 120.This plate cylintnd rearwardly of the blanket 1, both, cylinders beingmounted in suitable bearings in.the frame 122, comprising two sideframes 122a and 12%.

Pivoted at 123 and 124 are links 125 and 126 respectively. The upperends of these links pivotally support cross rods 127 and 128. Thesecross rods support two dampening frames 129a and 129b, one on each sideof the press, located above frames 122a. and 1221) respectively. Theseframes are held in spaced relation by the rods 127 and 128 and arelocated in lateral alignment with reference to the press frame 122 andplate cylinder 120, by the links 125 and 126. An additional cross rod130 extending between the frames and parallel to the cross rods 127 and128, is supported in the dampening frames.

Mounted upon the cross rods 127 and 130 is a reservoir 131 which isgenerally similar to the reservoirs previously described. The ends ofthis reservoir are provided with ears 132, these ears being formed withslots adapted to seat upon the rods 127 and 130. and each ear beingprovided with a set screw for the purpose of fixing the reservoir withrelation to said rods. The reservoir contains suitable liquid, and a.liquid supply chamber 133 is mounted on the reservoir for the purpose ofsupplying liquid to the reservoir and maintaining the level of thisliquid constant, as previously described.

Mounted upon the tube 134 are a plurality of brackets 135 each bracketbeing independently rotatably adjustable on the tube 134. Each brackethas secured thereto a liquid absorbent wick 136, adapted to absorbliquid from the reservoir and transfer it to the apron 137 contactingthe plate 118 and adapted to apply moisture to the plate. This apron isremovably secured to the rods 138 and 139 which are reciprocably mountedin the frames 129a and 12912, for movement transversely of the movementof the plate. The apron 137 is anchored to the rod 138 by means of pinsor in any other desired manner, and is loosely supported on the rod 139by means of a suspending web 137a. Tie clamps 140 made of upper andlower halves, are used to clamp the two rods P8 and 139 together so thatthese rods will reciprocate in unison.

The rod 137 is formed with a pin 141 on its lower side. This pin isengaged by the slot of a lever 142, the other end of the lever beingprovided with a roller, and the lever being pivoted intermediate itsends on a pivot 143 supported in the dampening frame 1290. The roller inthe lever 142 engages a groove formed in a cam 144, this cam beingsecured to a gear 145 and both the cam and the gear being rotatablymounted in a hub 146 on the dampening frame 129?). The gear 145 mesheswith a gear 147 which is mounted on the plate cylinder, or on the frameof the press.

The mechanism so far described, while difiering in details, issubstantially similar in principle to the device previously described.In this present modification, an additional distributing apron is shownat 148. This apron is supported on rods 149 and 150-which arereciprocably mounted in the frames 129a and 1291) andare clampedtogether for operation in unison by means of clamps 151. The clamps 140and. 151 are provided with vertically projecting pins 152 and 153respectively. These pins are engaged by slotted ends of a lever 154pivoted at 155 on the frame 1292). Y

The operation of the elements for feeding the liquid from the reservoirto the apron and from the apron to the plate has already been described.The liquid applying apron 137 is reciprocated by means of the lever 142actuated by the earn 144 which is, in turn, driven by the gear 147 onthe press. This reciprocation of the apron will be parallel to the axisof the cylinder and therefore crosswise or transversely of the movementof the plate.

The reciprocation of the distributing apron is effected as follows: Thepin 152 oscillates the lever about its pivot 155 which. in turn, causesthe rods 149 and 150 to reciprocate, thus reciprocating the apron 14.8parallel to and crosswise of the movement of the plate. It will be notedthat the direction of movement of the apron 148 is opposed to thedirection of movement of the apron 137. and that the apron 148 contactsthe plate at a point further advanced with relation to the travel of thecylinder than the point of contact of the apron 137 with the plate. Thisdistributing apron will more smoothly distribute or equalize themoisture previously delivered to the plate by the liquid applying apron,and also serves to absorb any excess moisture inadvertently applied tothe plate or accidentally accumulated on the plate. It will beunderstood that the liquid applying apron 13'? applies the moisture tothe plate subsequent to the printing of an impression upon the blanket,and that the moisture is then smoothed by the apron 148, after which theplate is again inked preparatory for the making of the next impression.

When is desired to have access to the plate .118 at the dampeningposition, for any of the reasons previously indicated, the dampeningdevice, including the reservoir, liquid supply chamber, wicks, liquidapplying apron, liquid distributing apron, apron reciprocating mechanismand the supports for these elements are shifted from the full lineposition shown in Figure 26 to the dotted .line position shown in thesame figure.

This dampening device is held in the operative position adjacent to theplate, by means of a latch 15'? mounted on the frame and engaging a pin158 on the link 125.

When the dampening device is removed to the inoperative position shownin broken lines in Figure 26, it may be moved against a stop 159 and asecond latch element may be provided for holdir the dampening device inthe inoperative pon if desired.

'lhe dampening device is moved manually and, in order to facilitate theshifting of this device, a lg counter balance is provided consisting of"ing 160 attached to an extension 125a of the 125 and adjustablyanchored to the frame at 162.

It will be evident that the mounting described maintains the dampeningdevice in a perfectly level position at all points during the shiftingmo ement, and that the device will maintain its parallel relation withthe plate cylinder during its movement.

Figure 29 illustrates another method of securm advantages somewhatsimilar to those produced by the use or" the second distributing apronreferred to above. This view shows a roller 163, covered with molletonor other liquid absorbing material 164. This roller is formed withreduced extensions 165 forming trunnions or pins guided in slots 166formed in the frame 167. The slots are of sufiicient depth to permit theroller 163 to gravitationally ride upon the face of the plate, but willnot permit the roller to drop into the of the plate cylinder. It will beunderstood that the liquid supplying apron, liquid feeding device andactuating mechanism in Figure 29,

are identical with the corresponding device shown in Figures 26, 2'7 and28. I have found that this roller very efliciently smooths the moistureand absorbs any surplus or undesired accumulation of moisture on theplate.

Many other modifications of this invention and its application willnaturally occur to those skilled in this art, and the presentdisclosures should therefore be considered as typical only, and I desirenot to be limited to the exact constructions shown and described.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a lithographic press, a moving lithographic plate, a reservoir ofliquid, a relatively soft flexible liquid distributing apron lightly riding on the plate, and a plurality of capillary elements each having oneend immersed in said liquid and the other end positioned exteriorly ofsaid reservoir below the level of the liquid in the reservoir, to feedliquid to said apron, independently of every other element.

2. In a lithographic press, a moving lithographic plate, a relativelysoft flexible liquid distributing element contacting the plate, a liquidsupplying device adapted to feed liquid to the element, automatic meansfor reciprocating the element substantially crosswise of the plate, anddriving mechanism adapted to actuate said means.

3. In a lithographic press, a lithographic plate, a relatively softflexible liquid distributing element contacting the plate, a pluralityof aligned liquid supplying devices each individually adjustable andadapted to feed liquid to the element, automatic means for reciprocatingthe element cross-wise of the plate, and driving mechanism adapted toactuate said automatic means.

4. In a lithographic press, a moving plate, a flexible sheet of liquidabsorbent material having one portion gravitationally resting upon thesurface of the plate and being anchored at another portion to resistmovement with the plate, means for feeding liquid to the sheet,automatic means for moving the sheet crosswise of the movement of theplate, and driving mechanism adapted to actuate said means.

5. In a lithographic press, a moving plate, a

relatively soft liquid absorbent sheet contacting a portion of thesurface of said plate, means adapted to vary the area of the surface ofthe plate contacted by the sheet, automatic mechonism for moving thesheet crosswise of the plate, and driving means adapted to actuate saidmechanism.

6. In a lithographic press, a plate mounted on a rotatable cylinder, 2.pair of spaced supporting members substantially parallel with the axisof said cylinder, a liquid absorbent sheet suspended at two spacedpoints by said spaced supporting members, and having a portion of thesheet intermediate said suspended points contacting the plate, a sourceof liquid and devices adapted to feed liquid from said source to saidsheet.

'7. In a lithographic press, a plate mounted on a rotatable cylinder. apair of spaced supporting members substantially parallel with the axisof said cylinder. a liquid absorbent sheet suspended between saidmembers and detachably mounted on said members. the suspended portion ofthe sheet contacting the plate, devices adapted to feed liquid to saidsheet, automatic mechanism adapted to reciprocate the members parallelwith the axis of the cylinder, and means adapted to actuate saidmechanism.

8. In a lithographic press, a rotating plate cylinder, a plate mountedon said cylinder and a gap formed in said cylinder, a relativelyflexible liquid distributing element gravitationally riding 1 upon saidplate and means for preventing the dropping of said element into saidgap.

9. In liquid feeding appliance for a lithographic press or the likehaving, in combination, reservoir of liquid, a plurality of individualwick nents each element adapted to lift liquid by illarity from saidreservoir and feed the liquid point exterior-1y of the reservoirindependently of every other element, each element having an absorbentportion pivotally mounted with relation to said reservoir and adapted tobe individually adjusted for variable immersion in said reservoirindependently of every other element, and means for holding theabsorbent element in the adjusted position.

10. In a liquid feeding device for a lithographic press or the like, areservoir containing liquid, 2 plurality of individual independentlyadjustable devices each adapted to transfer liquid from said reservoirto a point exteriorly of and below the level of the liquid in saidreservoir independently of every other device, and means adapttosimultaneously interrupt the transferring 1i. liquid by all of saiddevices.

11, In a liquid feeding device for a lithographic press or the like, areservoir containing liquid, a plurality of individually adjustabledevices each adapted to transfer liquid from said reservoir to pointlaterally of said reservoir separately from all other devices, and meansadapted to simultaneously interrupt the transferring of liquid by all ofsaid devices without disturbing the relative adjustments of the devices.

12. In a lithographic press, a dampening deice comprising a reservoir ofliquid formed with a wall, a plurality of individual capillary wickelements spaced from each other and having an individual absorbing endimmersed in the liquid interiorly of said Wall and an individualdelivering end exteriorly of said wall, individual adjustments forindividually regulating the absorbing capacity of the absorbing end ofeach of said elements, and means for withdrawing all of said "isorbingends from said liquid without altering relative adjustments, said meansbeing pted to redmmerse all of said absorbing ends the position occupiedby each of said ends bewithdrawal.

a lithographic press or the like, a movllthcgraphic plate. and a platedampening c. said device including an apron contact- .the plate andadapted to apply moisture to plate, means for supplying moisture to saidapron, and a second spaced from the first apron and contacting the plateat a point further advanced with relation to the travel of the platethan the first apron, and adapted to equalize the moisture deposited onthe plate by said first apron and absorb excess moisture from the plate.

i In a lithographic press or the like, a movlithographic plate. andplate dampening hanism including a plurality of liquid aboing elementscontacting the plate and spaced from each other in the direction oftravel of plate, a liquid supply device adapted to supply liquid to oneof said elements, and mecha- *n adapted to reciprocate one of saidelements lithographic plate in a lithographic press which consists ofautomatically applying liquid to the inked design on the plate bycapillary conduction with a continuous motion transversely withreference to the direction of travel of the plate in alternatingdirections.

16. The method of coating a moving lithographic plate in a lithographicpress with different amounts of liquid upon different zones crosswise ofthe press, which consists of applying various amounts of liquid to thedifferent zones of the plate in proportion to the requirements of eachzone, by capillary conduction with a continuously reciprocating motioncrosswise of the direction of movement of the plate.

17. The method of treating a moving lithographic plate which consists ofautomatically applying a coating of liquid to the surface of the plateand simultaneously lightly wiping the coated surface in a directiontransversely of the direction of movement of the plate at the placewhere the liquid is applied.

18. The method of treating a moving lithographic plate which consists ofautomatically coating the surface of the plate with a relatively thinlayer of liquid and lightly wiping the coated surface continuously inalternating directions transversely of the direction of movement of theplate.

19. The method of treating a rotating lithographic plate which consistsof automatically coating the surface of the plate with a relatively thinlayer of liquid and automatically lightly wiping the coated surfacecontinuously in alternating directions transversely of the direction ofmovement of the plate, the period of the alternation varying from theperiod of rotation of the plate.

20. In a lithographic press, a rotating lithographic plate, a reservoirof liquid, a relatively soft liquid absorbent apron extendingtransversely of the press and lightly contacting the periphery of theplate, a plurality of spaced capillary elements each having one endimmersed in said liquid and the other end positioned exteriorly of thereservoir and adapted to transfer liquid to the apron at a pointadjacent the area of contact of the apron with the plate, independentlyof every other element, and means adapted to vary the feed of liquid ofeach capillary ele ment independently of every other element.

21. A liquid feeding device for a lithographic press or the like,including a reservoir containing liquid, a support disposed adjacentsaid reservoir, a plurality of brackets mounted on said support andpivotally adjustable with'relation to the level of said liquid, and acapillary element adapted to feed liquid from said reservoir, associatedwith each of saidbrackets, said ele-- ments being formed with a liquidabsorbing end and a liquid delivering end, and each of said bracketsbeing pivotally adjustable independent- 1y of every other bracket tovary the depth of immersion of the liquid absorbingends of saidcapillary elements in the liquid.

22. A liquid 'feeding .appliance'for a lithographic press or the like,adapted to feed varying amounts of liquid to different points crosswiseof the press, having, in combination, a reservoir of liquid, a supportadjacent said reservoir, a plurality of capillary elements spaced fromeach other and arranged transversely of the press and adapted toindividually lift liquid from said reservoir and individually feed saidliquid to a point exteriorly of said reservoir, one

ill

end of each of said elements being individually pivotally adjustablymounted on said support whereby the rate of feed of each of saidelements is separately controlled.

23. A liquid feeding appliance for a lithographic press or the like,comprising a reservoir of liquid, a plurality of absorbent elementsadapted to absorb liquid from said reservoir, said absorbent elementsbeing tapered in the direction of their length and being mounted uponbrackets pivotally supported relatively to said reserroir, and saidelements being arcuately formed concavely toward the surface of theliquid, each of said brackets being adjustable toward and from theliquid independently of every other bracket, whereby the absorbentelement may be variably immersed in the liquid, and means for supportingsaid brackets.

24;. The method of moistening a moving lithographic plate in alithographic press, which mnsists of thinly coating the plate withliquid and smoothing and equalizing the coating by lightly wiping thecoated plate in a direction transversely of the direction of movement ofthe plate at a point rearwardly of the point at which the coating isapplied, with relation to the travel of the plate.

25. The method of moistening a travelling lithographic plate in alithographic press, which consists of applying liquid to the plate atone area and smoothing and equalizing the applied liquid at anotherarea, the two areas being spaced from each other in the direction oftravel of the plate, and simultaneously lightly wiping the areastransversely with relation to the direction of travel. of the plate andin opposite directions with relation to each other.

26. in a lithographic press or the like, a rotating lithographic plate,and a plate dampening device including a source of liquid, controllablemechanism for feeding liquid from said source, a moisture applying aproncontacting the plate and receiving liquid from said mechanism, and anon-moisture applying apron contacting the plate and spaced from saidmoisture applying apron in the direction toward which the plate ismoving and adapted to uniformly distribute the moisture deposited by themoisture applying apron.

27. In a lithographic press or the like, a moving lithographic plate,and plate dampening apparatus, said apparatus including a source ofliquid, adjustable means for feeding liquid from said source, a liquidabsorbing element contacting the plate and adapted to receive liquid fedby said adjustable means and adapted to apply the liquid to the plate,mechanism reciprocating the element transversely of the plate, means foractuating said mechanism, and a second liquid absorbing elementcontacting the plate at a position farther advanced with relation to thetravel of the plate than the first element, and adapted to equalize themoisture applied by the first element and absorb excess moisture fromthe plate.

28. In a lithographic press, a moving lithographic plate, a relativelysoft flexible liquid distributing apron riding on the plate andtransferring moisture to the plate, adjustable liquid supply devicesfeeding liquid to the apron, and a second flexible apron riding on themoistened plate, said second apron being spaced from the first mentionedapron in the direction of movement of the plate, and mechanism forreciprocating said aprons transversely of the movement of the plate inopposite directions relative to each other, and means for actuating saidmechamsm.

JOSEPH SCHULTZ.

